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The Snorkeling BSA requirements introduce Scout-age children and adult leaders to the special skills, equipment, and safety precautions associated with snorkeling; encourage the development of aquatics skills that promote fitness and recreation; and provide a foundation for those who later will participate in more advanced underwater activity.

Snorkeling BSA is not a merit badge.

Snorkeling BSA requirements

Before doing other requirements, successfully complete the BSA swimmer test: Jump feetfirst into water over the head in depth, level off, and begin swimming. Swim 75 yards in a strong manner using one or more of the following strokes: sidestroke, breaststroke, trudgen, or crawl; then swim 25 yards using an easy, resting backstroke. The 100 yards must be completed in one swim without stops and include at least one sharp turn. After completing the swim, rest by floating.

Discuss the importance of using the buddy system at all times while snorkeling and list duties of a buddy, beginning with equipment checks.

Explain the function, fit, and selection of mask, fins, and snorkel. Discuss the use of inflatable flotation vests and PFD’s when snorkeling in open water.

In confined, shallow water (about waist deep), demonstrate use of mask and snorkel:

a. Show how to prevent the mask from fogging and how to equalize pressure in mask, ears, and sinus cavities. With your head underwater, flood the mask, observe the effect on your vision, surface, and drain the water from the mask.

b. With your face in the water, breathe through the snorkel. Then submerge, surface, clear water from the snorkel, and resume free breathing without removing the snorkel from your mouth.

In confined, shallow water, demonstrate the use of swim fins: Do first using only fins, and then repeat with a mask and snorkel.

a. Fit and adjust fins to feet.

b. Walk with fins as if entering from a beach.

c. Swim at the surface (10 yards) and underwater (three yards) using the flutter kick.

d. Control direction without using hands while swimming with fins at the surface and underwater.

In confined, deep water (six to 12 feet), demonstrate:

a. Proper techniques for entering and exiting the water with snorkeling equipment from a dock or boat.

b. Headfirst and feetfirst surface dives, including proper body position for safe ascent and descent.

Show knowledge of snorkeling signals:

a. Demonstrate divers’ signs and signals, both audible and visual, for use at the surface and underwater.

b. Set out a diver down flag and explain its function.

In clear, confined water eight to 12 feet deep that has a firm bottom, while swimming with a buddy, use mask, fins, and snorkel to locate and recover an object from the bottom.

Demonstrate basic survival skills:

a. Float facedown for five minutes while breathing through a snorkel with a minimum of movement.

b. Demonstrate survival floating for five minutes without use of a snorkel.

c. Using fins, show how to tow an exhausted or unconscious buddy to safety.

Review and explain the eight points of Safe Swim Defense and BSA Snorkeling Safety. Explain training, preparations, and precautions required for snorkeling in open water. Explain environmental factors that affect snorkeling and discuss special precautions needed for oceans, streams, and lakes.